Grace Thompson
Living a life of mission as a Catholic means living with purpose. It's about adopting a missionary mindset in your everyday life, bringing the Gospel into every area of life, and actively sharing your faith with others. This involves loving God and loving those around you, and being a positive example for others to follow. It also means being open to God's plan and allowing Him to use you to reach others, whether that's your friends, family, neighbours, or coworkers. It's important to remember that living a life of mission requires personal effort, endurance, and the repetition of basic tasks. It's also about building, renewing, creating, and restoring, leaving the world a better place and laying a foundation for future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Praying for others | Faithfulness |
| Evangelising | Endurance |
| Inviting others to church | Joy |
| Presenting the words of the gospel | Love |
| Being a missionary | Optimism |
| Knowing your role | Intentionality |
| Loving God and others | Self-denial |
| Being a positive example | Humility |
| Making disciples | Service |
| Building, renewing, creating, and restoring | Sacrifice |
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What You'll Learn
Pray for others and their salvation
Praying for others and their salvation is a fundamental aspect of living a life of mission as a Catholic. It involves actively praying for the spiritual well-being and transformation of individuals who have not yet received Christ into their lives. This act of intercession is rooted in the belief that prayer can bring about a change of heart and lead people to salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
When praying for others' salvation, it is essential to have a missionary mindset, as Jesus did when he walked the earth. This means approaching prayer with urgency and purpose, recognizing that people are lost and in need of the gospel message. Praying for salvation can take on various forms, including praying for specific individuals by name, praying for their hearts to be softened, and asking God to remove spiritual blindness so they may see and understand the truth.
Additionally, praying for others' salvation involves yielding to the Holy Spirit and trusting in God's power to work in their lives. This may include praying for opportunities to be a light in their darkness, demonstrating God's love through words and deeds, and partnering with God in praying for those who are seeking Him. It is also beneficial to pray for wisdom and guidance in sharing the gospel effectively and sensitively.
Living a life of mission involves not only praying for the salvation of others but also taking practical steps to introduce them to the Christian community. This could mean inviting them to church services or small group gatherings, allowing them to experience the love and fellowship of fellow believers. By doing so, those we pray for may encounter a tangible expression of Christ's body and witness the gospel lived out in the lives of others.
Finally, praying for others' salvation is not just an individual act but can also be done in collaboration with other believers. Praying together as a community or church can create a powerful dynamic, uniting our hearts in intercession for those who do not yet know Christ. This collective effort reflects the unity and love of the body of Christ, as we work together towards the common goal of seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
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Evangelise and spread the gospel
Evangelising and spreading the gospel is a key aspect of living a Catholic life of mission. However, it is also an area in which many Catholics feel they fall short.
The Great Commission, as outlined in the Bible, instructs Catholics to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19) and to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). Pope John Paul II summarised the three objectives of Catholic mission as: proclaiming the Gospel to all people; helping to bring about the reconversion of those who have stopped practising their faith; and deepening the Gospel in the lives of believers.
So, how can Catholics evangelise and spread the gospel in their everyday lives? Firstly, it is important to recognise that evangelism requires personal effort and endurance. It is not enough to simply go through the motions; one must live with "evangelistic intentionality", orienting their life around the mission of spreading the gospel. This might involve actively seeking out opportunities to share one's faith with others and building meaningful relationships with non-believers. Hospitality is a key aspect of Catholic evangelisation, creating a welcoming atmosphere for non-believers through friendly conversation and thoughtful gestures.
Another practical step is to regularly pray for the salvation of specific individuals who do not currently practise the faith. One can then introduce these individuals to the Catholic community, inviting them to church or a home group, so that they can experience what life is like as part of the body of Christ. Finally, one can present the words of the gospel in a way that challenges the individual, encouraging them to accept God's invitation to have a relationship with Him.
It is important to remember that evangelisation is not about forcing one's beliefs on others, but rather proposing the faith and allowing people to make their own choice to accept or reject it.
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Live with a sense of urgency and intentionality
Living a life of mission as a Catholic requires a sense of urgency and intentionality. This means being aware of life's brevity and the urgency of the gospel message. As Jesus said, "My food [...] is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." Jesus lived with a sense of urgency, knowing that he had been sent to accomplish a mission and that his time was limited. He was focused on his mission and was not distracted by the cares of life, like his apostles were.
To live with a sense of urgency and intentionality, it is important to have a missionary mindset and to be open to God using you to reach out to those around you. This could be your friends, relatives, neighbours, or associates. Pray regularly for their salvation and think about what would increase their joy in life.
Living with urgency does not mean living in a hurry or with anxiety. Instead, it is about having a sense of insistence that requires steady and often swift action. It is about being ready and keeping watch because you do not know when the end will come.
Evangelism is a crucial part of living a life of mission. While many Christians understand their responsibility to share their faith, they struggle with actually doing it. It requires personal effort, endurance through difficulty, and the regular repetition of basic tasks.
Living with intentionality means ordering your life around the mission of the gospel. This includes introducing people to your community and giving them a tangible experience of life in the body of Christ. It also involves presenting the gospel in a way that challenges people and helps them see your community as "attractively different".
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Be a missionary in your everyday life
Being a missionary in your everyday life is about adopting a missionary mindset in your daily routines and interactions. It is about living with purpose and urgency, knowing that you are called to share the Good News of Jesus and to be a channel of God's love to those around you.
Pray
Regularly pray for the salvation of those who do not know Christ. Pray for their joy and well-being, and ask God how you can be a part of answering those prayers. Pray for a fullness of the Holy Spirit so that He might overflow through you in all circumstances.
Engage with your community
Be intentional about building relationships with those around you, including friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Look for opportunities to serve and love others in word and deed. Invite them to experience community within the Church, whether through a church service or a small group gathering.
Share your story
Be authentic and vulnerable about your own faith journey, including your struggles and joys. Share how Jesus has transformed your life and how He can do the same for others. Remember that your whole life is a mission, and every interaction is an opportunity to share God's love.
Live with evangelistic intentionality
Be purposeful in your everyday interactions. Look for God-created opportunities to share the Gospel with those who do not know Christ. This may include explaining your faith to non-Christians, answering their questions, and addressing their objections gently and respectfully.
Develop gospel knowledge
Commit to studying the Bible and increasing your understanding of the Gospel. Memorize Bible verses, particularly those that speak of God's mercy and love. Allow your knowledge to shape your words and actions, transforming the lives of those around you.
Being a missionary in your everyday life is about living out your faith in tangible ways that honor God and point others to Him. It is a privilege and honor to be used by God to impact the lives of those He has placed around you.
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Love God and your neighbours
To live a life of mission as a Catholic, one must fulfil the two commandments: to love God and to love your neighbour.
Love God
The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This means loving God with your whole self, fulfilling the deepest meaning of who you are. Loving God is not just an act of favour, but an act of communion with God, fulfilling your purpose.
Love Your Neighbour
The second commandment, which hinges on the first, is to love your neighbour as yourself. This means allowing your love for God to overflow and be poured out upon those you encounter. Acting as a bridge between others and God is the greatest way to love your neighbour. This can be done through performing the corporal works of mercy, serving the materially or spiritually poor, and sharing the Gospel with others.
Loving your neighbour also means loving those closest to you, such as your parents, children, spouse, and friends. It involves seeking their good and drawing them into a relationship with God.
Living on Mission
Living a life of mission involves having a missionary mindset in your everyday life, seeking to share the Gospel with those around you. This includes praying for the salvation of others, inviting them to experience your faith community, and presenting the Gospel in a challenging way. It requires urgency, intentionality, and endurance, ordering your life around the mission of sharing the Gospel.
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Frequently asked questions
Pray regularly for the salvation of three non-Christians within driving distance of your church.
Invite them to your church or a homegroup so they can experience life in the body of Christ.
Present the words of the gospel in a challenging way.
Live with evangelistic intentionality, applying yourself to building, creating, renewing, and restoring in your everyday life.
